Since 1993 the IOC has conducted training courses on harmful microalgae. The purpose has been to improve the taxonomic and identification skills of the participants for research purposes and for practical monitoring of harmful algal blooms.
From 2006 the IOC training in HAB identification has been offered within a new framework which gives accreditation. The present course includes now a practical exam at the end of the course with an IOC Certificate of Proficiency in Identification of Harmful Algae issued to participants who pass the exam. We know by experience that many of the more than 500 trainees we have had over the years have wished the courses to give accreditation, and in some countries, the IOC courses have become a reference for laboratories to be approved for carrying out regulatory monitoring for harmful microalgae.
The IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae, University of Copenhagen, Denmark is organizing the course.
IOC Training Course and Identification Qualification in Harmful Marine Microalgae including optional workshops on enumeration and culture techniques, 2018
Course description: The course includes 100 hours of teaching and is divided into two parts.
1) The first part of the course is an internet teaching programme giving general introductions to the various groups of harmful algae; this part is mainly for self-study and estimated to 40 hours of reading.
2) The second part is a practical course in species identification including 2 optional workshops in enumeration and culture techniques (see tentative programme below). It may be possible to participate in both workshops, or alternatively spent the time examining mixed samples from various geographical regions and/or own samples. Part 2 includes 60 hours of teaching and a microscope will be available to each participant during the entire period, see also link below.
Participants: The course is aimed at participants who have some years of practical experience in identification of microalgae. The number of participants is limited to 16. If there are more applicants than available seats, priority will be given to applicants who have direct research or management responsibilities with regard to the occurrence of harmful algae.
Dates: Part 1 will be available on the IOC-UNESCO teaching platform ‘OceanTeacher’ from mid-May onwards; part 2 takes place 5-18 August 2018.
Venue: IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, c/o Danhostel, Lejrskolevej 4, 3400 Hillerød.
Language: English.
Course lecturers: Dr. Heléne Annadotter, Dr. Santiago Fraga, Dr. Jacob Larsen, Dr. Nina Lundholm, Professor Øjvind Moestrup.
Enquiries may be send to Jacob Larsen, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.”>jacobl@bio.ku.dk
The Course includes:
Accommodation, arriving to the course venue on 5 August, check-in from 16.00, and check-out on 18 August at 10.00
All meals during the course, starting with an evening meal upon arrival on 5 Aug. and finishing with breakfast on 18 Aug.
Access to the distant learning programme on OceanTeacher which will be available two-three months prior to the practical course
Teaching material including hard copies of the following books which will be distributed during the practical part of the course:
Deadline for applications: 1 April 2018.
More information at: http://hab.ioc-unesco.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32&Itemid=0
